CONTRACTURE AN ABNORMAL SHORTENING OF THE MUSCLE DUE TO LACK OF USE. THE MUSCLE IS FIXED INTO POSITION, IS DEFORMED, AND CANNOT STRETCH. THE PERSON WITH A CONTRACTURE IS PERMANENTLY DISABLED ATROPHY ATROPHY A DECREASE IN SIZE OR A WASTING AWAY OF MUSCLE TISSUE. CAUSED BY LACK OF USE DECUBITUS ULCER A BREAKDOWN IN SKIN TISSUE THAT OCCURS WHEN BLOODFLOW TO AN AREA IS INTERRUPTED o USING THE BODY IN AN EFFICIENT AND CAREFUL WAY. oIT IS EFFICIENT USE OF THE BODY AS A MACHINE AND AS A MEAN OF LOCOMOTION
o USING GOOD POSTURE AND BALANCE
o USING THE STRONGEST AND LARGEST MUSCLES FOR WORK BASE OF SUPPORT THE AREA ON WHICH AN OBJECT RESTS A GOOD BASE OF SUPPORT IS NEEDED FOR BALANCE WHEN LIFTING YOUR FEET ARE YOUR BASE OF SUPPORT STAND WITH YOUR FEET APART FOR A WIDER BASE OF SUPPORT AND MORE BALANCE BEND YOUR KNEES AND SQUAT TO LIFT A HEAVY OBJECT
DO NOT BEND FROM YOUR WAIST For good body mechanics: Bend your knees and squat to lift a heavy object. Hold items close to your body and base of support. Have a wide base of support. Use your larger and stronger muscles. Avoid unnecessary bending and reaching. Face your work area. Push, slide, or pull heavy objects when you can. Turn your whole body when changing direction of movement. Work with smooth and even movements. Do not lean over a person to give care. Bend your hips and knees to lift heavy objects from the floor. Do not lift objects higher than chest level. Get help from a co-worker if the person cannot assist with turning or moving. Use assist equipment and devices when possible. THE TRUNK OF THE PERSON SHOULD BE IN A STRAIGHT LINE WHEN THE PATIENT IS LYING DOWN THE PATIENT IN A CHAIR SHOULD SIT UP STRAIGHT HIS FEET SHOULD EITHER REST ON THE FLOOR OR ON A STOOL HIS LOWER BACK SHOULD REST AGAINST THE BACK OF THE CHAIR THE BACKS OF HIS KNEES SHOULD BE SLIGHTLY AWAY FROM THE SEAT OF THE CHAIR PROPER POSITIONING IN A CHAIR DESIGNED TO HELP THE PATIENT PREVENT COMPLICATIONS BED CRADLE
KEEPS THE WEIGHT OF THE LINENS FROM PRESSING ON THE PATIENTS BODY o IF THE PATIENT IS UNABLE TO CHANGE POSITION INDEPENDENTLY , YOU WILL NEED TO ASSIST .
o PATIENTS NEED TO BE TURNED EVERY TWO HOURS.
Lateral position Fowlers position is a semi-sitting position. The spine is kept straight. The head is supported with a small pillow. The arms are supported with pillows. The supine position is the back-lying position. The bed is flat. The head and shoulders are supported on a pillow. Arms and hands are at the sides. Prone position The person lies on the abdomen with the head turned to one side. The bed is flat. Small pillows are placed under the head, abdomen, and lower legs. Arms are flexed at the elbows with the hands near the head. Lateral position (side-lying) A pillow is under the head and neck. The upper leg, ankle, and thigh are supported with pillows. A pillow is positioned against the persons back. A small pillow is under the upper arm and hand. ORTHOPNEIC POSITION FREQUENTLY USED BY PATIENTS WITH RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS HELPS EXPAND THE CHEST AND LUNGS TO ALLOW MORE OXYGEN TO ENTER
Protect the skin when moving the person. Friction is the rubbing of one surface against another. Shearing is when the skin sticks to a surface while muscles slide in the direction the body is moving. To reduce friction and shearing: Roll the person or use assist devices. Use a lift sheet (turning sheet), turning pad, large incontinence product, slide board, or slide sheet. A LIFT SHEET MAKES LIFTING EASIER HELPS PREVENT FRICTION AGAINST THE PATIENTS SKIN TAKES TWO WORKERS TO LIFT IF PATIENT CAN HELP HAVE HIM BEND HIS KNEES USE FOR PERSONS WHO CAN NOT HELP WITH THE MOVE THE PERSON IS MOVED IN SEGMENTS PROPER POSITIONING FOR LATERAL POSITION A PATIENT WHO HAS A SPINAL INJURY OR SPINAL SURGERY MUST BE KEPT IN GOOD BODY ALIGNMENT WHEN TURNING. USING A LIFT SHEET THE PERSON IS TURNED IN ONE MOTION. IT TAKES 2 OR 3 PERSONS TO SAFELY LOGROLL A PATIENT.
DANGLING REFERS TO SITTING ON THE SIDE OF THE BED WITH THE FEET HANGING DOWN DO NOT LEAVE THE PATIENT ALONE WHEN DANGLING.
HAVE THE PATIENT COUGH, DEEP BREATHE, AND EXERCISE THEIR LEG MUSCLES WHEN DANGLING.
IF THE PATIENT BECOMES DIZZY LIE HIM DOWN.
CHECK THE PERSONS PULSE AND RESPIRATIONS USED TO TRANSFER PATIENTS WHO ARE PARALYZED, VERY HEAVY, OR DIFFICULT TO MOVE YOU NEED AT LEAST 2 STAFF MEMBERS TO SAFELY USE A MECHANICAL LIFT PARALYZED PERSONS USE A TRANSFER BOARD FOR TRANSFER FROM WHEELCHAIR TO BED TAKES 4 OR MORE STAFF
USE A LIFT SHEET OR SLED TO PULL PATIENT OVER ONTO CART REPOSITIONING A RESIDENT IN A WHEELCHAIR o LOCK THE WHEELS AND MOVE THE FOOTRESTS OUT OF THE WAY o DO NOT PULL THE RESIDENT UP BY THE ARMS o TO AVOID INJURY TO THE RESIDENT USE TWO STAFF MEMBERS o ALWAYS LOCK THE BRAKES WHEN TRANSFERRING o CLEAN THE WHEELCHAIR ON A REGULAR BASIS o MOVE THE FOOTRESTS OUT OF THE WAY WHEN TRANSFERRING BACK DOWN A RAMP WITH A WHEELCHAIR BACK INTO THE ELEVATOR SO THE PATIENT FACES THE FRONT TRANSFER THE PATIENT FEET FIRST DOWN A RAMP ENTER THE ELEVATOR HEAD FIRST